Certification Criteria

We offer three levels of certification:
Silver, Gold & Platinum

During your Site Assessment, the Technician will help determine which elements are right for you and your yard. Then, work toward higher certification levels in years to come and enjoy the array of wildlife your yard supports.

Invasive Weeds

Weed introductions often alter ecosystem processes, creating a domino effect throughout the rest of the ecosystem. The weeds on our list have been identified through local ecologists and botanists as causing or could cause environmental and economic damage.

Remove all invasive weeds listed under the certification level you’re working toward. All criteria of previous levels must be met before moving forward.

Native Plants

Ninety percent of all insects are specialized, meaning they share an evolutionary history with native plants and rely on them to survive. Since animals directly or indirectly depend on plants for their food, the diversity of animals in a particular habitat is very closely linked to the diversity of plants in the habitat.

Tallamy, Douglas. Bringing Nature Home. Portland: Timber Press, 2007.

Be sure to take advantage of the huge discounts at our exclusive native plant sales! Also note, our program focuses primarily on the use of locally native plants, as outlined in the Portland Plant List.

Pesticide Reduction

The use of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) can be very harmful to wildlife, pets and people. Planting well-chosen native plants can create wildlife habitat, conserve water and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

Platinum

Use only GREEN zone chemicals if necessary, according to an IPM strategy

No use of RED or YELLOW zone chemicals

Take the Metro No Pesticides Pledge

Stormwater Management

When it rains or snows in urban areas, water washes over streets, roofs and other surfaces picking up dirt, chemicals and oil along the way. Stormwater management in your yard can mimic nature by allowing runoff to soak into the ground, helping to filter out pollutants and decrease or eliminate runoff from your property.

Stormwater options are different for every property. Research the most appropriate strategies for your site before implementation.

Wildlife Stewardship

The Portland-Vancouver region sits at an incredible ecological crossroads. The confluence of two great rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette, and is located along the Pacific Flyway for bird migration.

For example, of the approximate 500 bird species found in Oregon, 209 use the Portland-Vancouver region for some portion of their lifecycle. In addition to birds, it’s also critical to support beneficial insects and our native pollinators in our gardens.